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Author
Topic: depression and Atripla (Read 9920 times)

Has anyone heard of or experienced depression, presumably as a result of Atripla? I have been doing research on my own and find it had to understand why my doctor nor my psychiatrist has ever mentioned that Atripla can CAUSE or exaccerbate depression, all the while I have been struggling with jugging antidepressant, trying to find a combination which will work. I am thinking of switching hiv meds because of this. Whats up with that?

... and yes, your doctor should have forewarned you. Please call him and inform him of what is happening and for assistance in evaluating the level you are experiencing, etc. Frankly I'd be suspect that he/she did not discuss this issue with you in advance.

Also, as you mention a psychiatrist I will assume that you began Atripla with pre-existing mental health issues. Did your prescribing HIV specialist know of this, and was your prescribing psychiatrist conversely informed by you of what meds you were going on, etc.? The patient must assist in informing each party of what's going on in a situation involving both an HIV specialist and a mental health professional.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Do you have experience with this? i feel like an idiot not every hearing of this before...and struggling for so long with the depression issue. I feel like I am still alive today because I am an informed patient who has had a great relationship with his doctors....but not since leaving Baltimore...Damn I am pissed off about this

As Philly already stated, Sustiva as a component of Atripla has been reported by many of those taken it (including my partner) to cause anxiety and depression type feelings. In my partner's case, his doctor needed to prescribe an anti-anxiety med because he was having difficulty with the side effect.

Linked is the AIDSmeds lesson on Tips & Tricks on Taking Sustiva which you may want to check out as well.

Has anyone heard of or experienced depression, presumably as a result of Atripla? I have been doing research on my own and find it had to understand why my doctor nor my psychiatrist has ever mentioned that Atripla can CAUSE or exaccerbate depression, all the while I have been struggling with jugging antidepressant, trying to find a combination which will work. I am thinking of switching hiv meds because of this. Whats up with that?

Do your psychiatrists and physician both have access to your full list of medications ?

If you are prone to depression and taking anti-depressant, you should not take Atripla. I am bipolar, but tend more towards depression. I am not on HIV meds yet, but I sometimes discuss the options with my HIV doctor. He has said that he would be very reluctant to put me on Atripla, due to this known issue with the sustiva component. I guess when my time comes for meds, I will take multiple pills for HIV.

"Yes, the Sustiva component of Atripla can cause/increase depression:" Qoute from Philly

I agree with Philly, I have been on Atripla for 10 months. & yes the depression set in about 2 months ago. I have a Doc appointment 09/16 & will ask her about this, or maybe some anti-depressands even thou I hate them.

I also hate setting and eating at a restaurant and start crying for no reason.

Please talk to your doctor and your psychiatrist because Atripla and Sustiva definitely can exacerbate depression! My ID doctor kept me away from Sustiva for years because I take antidepressants and she didn't want to make my depression worse. When I ran out of meds to take due to side effects and Atripla had just been approved, I told her that I'd be willing to try it. She only did so with the understanding that I would come back in 4 weeks to check in with her. But it took almost 4 months for the depression to become completely unmanageable and to the point where I wanted to stop functioning. I noticed, and someone else here on the forum posted about it, that within 2 hours of taking my Atripla at night...I had horrible thoughts of no self worth and not wanting to be here. When my doctor took me off of them, I also had to change my antidepressants because she felt like those had maybe "pooped" out on me with the depression getting so bad. Now I am on Isentress & Truvada for my hiv meds. They are working really well for me with hardly any side effects.

Your doctor and your psychiatrist should have none not to put you on them unless it was an absolute last resort and then only if they were going to closely monitor you. Don't feel like an idiot for not hearing about this. I was forewarned by my doctor and didn't think "it could happen to me". Guess that's how I also ended up positive, huh???

You're welcome to PM me if you want to ask any specific questions about my experience. Good luck to you and I hope you feel better soon!

As long as you haven't developed resistance to the Sustiva, you can probably switch back. Ask your doc. However, if you have depression caused by the Sustiva, you might just not want to switch back unless it's the only med to which you are not resistant.

Hubby and I both take Sustiva in Atripla form. Neither of us notice any depression in over 18 months of being on it. It seems to be an individual thing. Most folks seem ok on it, but the ones that have depression problems seem to have 'em bad.